In the passing away of MS, I seem to have lost my own soul. I was feeling sad. I felt drawn to the quartet of Kalki, Anantarama Dikshitar, Rajaji and MS. All of them have left this world. They were all unique in their respective fields and shared the pride of our ancient culture and did tremendous work to uphold and further it. MS of all was nearer to the hearts of a larger number. Her attainments were intelligible to the ordinary people as well as to the cognoscenti. Her transparently total devotion during her renditions, and childlike simplicity and humility which only great souls can bring to bear won her laurels from one and all from the various corners of not only our country but also from abroad. Whoever has listened to MS even once felt deeply impacted. No fellow professional ever bore any grudge to her. But it is not the encomiums that define her but her authentic personality which was (and to those who knew her even remotely it will be in their all life) unmistakable. It meant one and the same thing to all. I feel I have achieved, if anything I have, in having lived in her time. I feel I have a trace of authenticity myself in feeling the way I do about her.
All are not born to be great. But to be able to live in the shadow of the great deriving the calmness and contentment it bestows is itself worthy of one’s life.
On the eve of her death anniversary
MS departed 13 years ago. She lives though in the happy memories of those that hear(d) her and followed her.
She was human and had a right to live her life the way she did. The way she did has benefited thousands and thousands.
If she had confined herself only to carnatic music as an art and not as a medium to touch the lives of common people we would have been the poorer.
Sri TS chose, let us concede that, her career and chose that she should immortalize some of the devotional hymns. It was no doubt to reach a large audience, but not for money or fame, both of which did not affect MS in any way. The couple wanted the welfare of people and devotion was the route to peace and contentment in their assessment. They stuck to that.
As a nonentity who followed Kanchi Acharya, Rajaji, Kalki and MS, I find a common thread that runs through. Kanchi Acharya led his life as a penance for the spiritual upliftment, Rajaji for political upliftment and Kalki for literary upliftment. MS did it in the most striking manner through her music. If it was only the voice or jnanam of music, so many others would have done it. It was a deep concern for people that pervaded her life as we see from many anecdotes from a wide range of people. That concern easily flowed through the devotional music she has left behind. Most of those that hear her and remember her get solace deep within. Mere art music would not have achieved it. It is not for achievement, but for reaching the people for their good. All the four luminaries lived for that. Kanchi Acharya was a spiritual beacon and he had no worldly attachment. The other three lived a worldly life and are a role model for ordinary people engaged in worldly life. If Gita must be understood it can be understood by reflecting on their lives. There would be flaws and missteps, but that is about life. They are not epic heroes, and the greatness of our epics is that heroes are portrayed with flaws.
That is the truth to my mind. I take that which is the core and beneficial.
The memory of MS will ever be associated with the human predicament and the Hindu way of redemption. There is everything to feel proud about it.
MS departed 13 years ago. She lives though in the happy memories of those that hear(d) her and followed her.
She was human and had a right to live her life the way she did. The way she did has benefited thousands and thousands.
If she had confined herself only to carnatic music as an art and not as a medium to touch the lives of common people we would have been the poorer.
Sri TS chose, let us concede that, her career and chose that she should immortalize some of the devotional hymns. It was no doubt to reach a large audience, but not for money or fame, both of which did not affect MS in any way. The couple wanted the welfare of people and devotion was the route to peace and contentment in their assessment. They stuck to that.
As a nonentity who followed Kanchi Acharya, Rajaji, Kalki and MS, I find a common thread that runs through. Kanchi Acharya led his life as a penance for the spiritual upliftment, Rajaji for political upliftment and Kalki for literary upliftment. MS did it in the most striking manner through her music. If it was only the voice or jnanam of music, so many others would have done it. It was a deep concern for people that pervaded her life as we see from many anecdotes from a wide range of people. That concern easily flowed through the devotional music she has left behind. Most of those that hear her and remember her get solace deep within. Mere art music would not have achieved it. It is not for achievement, but for reaching the people for their good. All the four luminaries lived for that. Kanchi Acharya was a spiritual beacon and he had no worldly attachment. The other three lived a worldly life and are a role model for ordinary people engaged in worldly life. If Gita must be understood it can be understood by reflecting on their lives. There would be flaws and missteps, but that is about life. They are not epic heroes, and the greatness of our epics is that heroes are portrayed with flaws.
That is the truth to my mind. I take that which is the core and beneficial.
The memory of MS will ever be associated with the human predicament and the Hindu way of redemption. There is everything to feel proud about it.
